Tea is the agricultural product of the leaves, leaf buds, and internodes of various cultivars and sub-varieties[2] of the Camellia sinensis plant, processed and cured using various methods. "Tea" also refers to the aromatic beverage prepared from the cured leaves by combination with hot or boiling water,[3] and is the common name for the Camellia sinensis plant itself. After water, tea is the most widely consumed beverage in the world.[4] It has a cooling, slightly bitter, astringent flavour which many enjoy.[5]

The term "herbal tea" usually refers to an infusion or tisane of leaves, flowers, fruit, herbs, or other plant material that contains no Camellia sinensis.[9] In East Asian culture, the term "red tea" has always been used to represent what the West understands as "black tea".[10] This can be confusing in the English speaking world because the same term is now also used to represent the drink made with the South Africanrooibos plant which contains no Camellia sinensis.